Local Humanists celebrate first anniversary

Published: Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 08:14 PM.

A group of about three dozen members of the Humanists and Freethinkers of New Bern will celebrate its first anniversary today (Sunday) with noted humanist Herb Silverman as guest speaker.

A local chapter of the American Humanist Association, founded in 1941 and based in Washington, D.C., the group meets monthly every third Sunday at the Unitarian Universalists Fellowship, 308 Meadows Street.

The national organization of about 23,000 members advocates equality for humanists, atheists, and non-theists.

Silverman, born an Orthodox Jew and reared in Philadelphia, was a math professor who moved to South Carolina where his experiences and challenge to the South Carolina constitution paved the way for allowing atheists to hold public office there.

He will talk about his invitation to the White House and his interactions with President Jimmy Carter and the Rev. Billy Graham as well as his recent book.

Chapter President Ellen Sutliff said AHA defines Humanism as a “progressive philosophy, that without supernaturalism affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

Sutliff said the group’s membership numbers show that the New Bern area is ready for a group like theirs to “provide secular community for humanists, freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, non-believers, and non-theists in eastern North Carolina.”

A group of about three dozen members of the Humanists and Freethinkers of New Bern will celebrate its first anniversary today (Sunday) with noted humanist Herb Silverman as guest speaker.

A local chapter of the American Humanist Association, founded in 1941 and based in Washington, D.C., the group meets monthly every third Sunday at the Unitarian Universalists Fellowship, 308 Meadows Street.

The national organization of about 23,000 members advocates equality for humanists, atheists, and non-theists.

Silverman, born an Orthodox Jew and reared in Philadelphia, was a math professor who moved to South Carolina where his experiences and challenge to the South Carolina constitution paved the way for allowing atheists to hold public office there.

He will talk about his invitation to the White House and his interactions with President Jimmy Carter and the Rev. Billy Graham as well as his recent book.

Chapter President Ellen Sutliff said AHA defines Humanism as a “progressive philosophy, that without supernaturalism affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

Sutliff said the group’s membership numbers show that the New Bern area is ready for a group like theirs to “provide secular community for humanists, freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, non-believers, and non-theists in eastern North Carolina.”

The 5 p.m. meeting is open to the public but those planning to bring children requiring care or to attend a potluck dinner following the meeting should RSVP to Sutliff at esutliff@msn.com or the groups’ website at meetup.com/new-bern-humanists.